杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

鈥淚 have found so much faith in Ireland,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said at the end of his two-day visit to the land of Saints and Scholars. 鈥淭he Irish have suffered so much from the scandals, but they know how to distinguish the truth from half-truths,鈥� he said, reciting the words spoken to him by an unnamed Bishop a few hours earlier. And even if the healing process is ongoing, the faith of the Irish people remains solid.

"I won't say a word"
 

Although the 杏MAP导航 had gone to Ireland to celebrate the World Meeting of Families, the subject of abuse cast a pallor over his visit. In particular, reporters were waiting to hear 杏MAP导航 Francis respond to allegations made by a former Apostolic Nuncio (papal ambassador) to the United States. In a document published overnight Saturday, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò questioned the Holy Father鈥檚 response to accusations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, forced to resign his cardinalate over 鈥渃redible鈥� and 鈥渟ubstantiated鈥� allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Further accusations against McCarrick have subsequently been made known.

杏MAP导航 Francis spoke bluntly about Archbishop Viganò鈥檚 charges: 鈥淚 say this sincerely: Read it attentively and make your own judgment. I will not say a word about this. I believe the document speaks for itself.鈥�

Judging Bishops case by case
 

Instead, the 杏MAP导航 spoke on a number of other delicate and complex topics, including how to try a Bishop accused of abuse. Gently rejecting the wish of Marie Collins 鈥� a former member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors 鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said that a standing court such as the one called for in the motu proprio鈥淐ome una madre amorevole鈥� is not the best option. Rather, Bishops might be tried by an ad hoc tribunal on a case by case basis. 鈥淚t functions better that way,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 affirmed, noting the trial of the Archbishop of Guam had been handled in this manner. He also indicated another trial was proceeding along the same lines.

Speak out immediately!
 

Asked about how the 鈥淧eople of God鈥� can and should respond to evils perpetrated by priests, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged families to believe their children. 鈥淲hen you see something,鈥� he said, 鈥測ou must speak out immediately."

On the other hand, he also criticized irresponsible media outlets for judging people before the facts can be ascertained. He called to mind a case in Granada where a group of priests had been accused of pedophilia by a student who had written to the 杏MAP导航. The humiliation the priests suffered proved to be a cruel injustice, because they were later found to be innocent. The Holy Father admitted that the work of journalists is delicate鈥攖hey must say something, but, he insisted, 鈥渁lways with the presumption of innocence and not with the presumption of guilt."

鈥淧ray, and don鈥檛 condemn鈥�
 

杏MAP导航 Francis had high praise for the Irish minister who spoke about the tragic case of orphanages run by Irish nuns in Tuam鈥攖he subject of an investigation by the authorities into abuses that occurred over many decades. The Holy Father urged caution, until the investigation could be completed, and the responsibility of the Church could be determined. Whatever the outcome of the inquiry, the 杏MAP导航 expressed his appreciation for the fairness and the 鈥渄ignity鈥� with which the government鈥檚 representative briefed him on the matter.

Another journalist asked asked 杏MAP导航 Francis what advice he would give to a father whose child revealed that he or she was homosexual. The Holy Father said he would encourage a parent 鈥渢o pray, to not condemn, to dialogue, to make room鈥� for their son or daughter鈥攂ecause to ignore them or cast them aside would mean something was missing from their parenthood.

A strong, deeply-rooted faith
 

鈥淭he Irish people have a deeply-rooted and strong faith,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said, wrapping up his reflection. 鈥淚 say that because that鈥檚 what I saw, that's what I heard,  that's what I鈥檝e come to understand over these two days.鈥�